Troubling issue with 05 tahoe

[Dock Rocker]

If you let Black Bear put a tune together for you all the torque management issues will be a thing of the past.

That said you should have been able to shift to 4wd low and gotten full torque or close to it. That is supposed to disable the traction control.


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[Mccool]

If you let Black Bear put a tune together for you all the torque management issues will be a thing of the past.

That said you should have been able to shift to 4wd low and gotten full torque or close to it. That is supposed to disable the traction control.


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Yeah looking back I should've put it in 4lo. I sent black bear an email detailing the issue, looking forward to their response. Thanks again.

 

[HenryJ]

I suspect that if you remove the blank panel where the switch would be installed, you would find the connector and wire harness to which the switch would be installed. Installing a switch would be easy. This may not work to control the traction control without a properly programmed BCM. You could find a switch and BCM from a donor / salvageyard Tahoe and install them. I have done this to get the two/haul function in a S-10 crew cab. The problem is that the BCM must be VIN matched or the MIL will be lit. No loss of function, but annoying. I am told the dealer can VIN match a BCM, however that may only apply to a new one, and or may only program it back to the OEM VIN package and defeat the purpose.

I have done quite a few things like this. If you are the adventurous type and have a "mechanic background" , time for a little sleuthing. See if the connector and wires are there...try a switch. Otherwise.. I guess learn to live with the system and how to work with it. Mine does great and I have MAYBE used the traction control off once. Mine wheels with the best of them just fine

 

[Mccool]

I suspect that if you remove the blank panel where the switch would be installed, you would find the connector and wire harness to which the switch would be installed. Installing a switch would be easy. This may not work to control the traction control without a properly programmed BCM. You could find a switch and BCM from a donor / salvageyard Tahoe and install them. I have done this to get the two/haul function in a S-10 crew cab. The problem is that the BCM must be VIN matched or the MIL will be lit. No loss of function, but annoying. I am told the dealer can VIN match a BCM, however that may only apply to a new one, and or may only program it back to the OEM VIN package and defeat the purpose.

I have done quite a few things like this. If you are the adventurous type and have a "mechanic background" , time for a little sleuthing. See if the connector and wires are there...try a switch. Otherwise.. I guess learn to live with the system and how to work with it. Mine does great and I have MAYBE used the traction control off once. Mine wheels with the best of them just fine

You've got a sharp avalanche! The tahoe has certainly fit our needs nicely aside from this issue. Its roomy, comfortable and reliable. I'll see what black bear has to say and go from there, I don't mind some salvaging if it comes down to it.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

4-lo is good for more than just sand and rocks, try it before you fry your trans. I have met a few folks who do not know how to switch into 4-lo, put it in neutral and push the 4L button to engage.

 

[HenryJ]

You've got a sharp avalanche! The tahoe has certainly fit our needs nicely aside from this issue. Its roomy, comfortable and reliable. I'll see what black bear has to say and go from there, I don't mind some salvaging if it comes down to it.

Black Bear can program engine and transmission functions within the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) The BCM (Body Control Module) may be where you need to go to choose other functions. This will be outside their abilities. The GM TechII , or by now TechIII? is needed to alter this module. I am not aware of anyone who has been playing with modifications using this tool. I would not be afraid to swap switch and try it. If that doesn't work swap BCM and try again. Keep in mind that it may set the MIL and would take a trip to the dealer to reset that darn light.

Personally I love this platform. A few tweaks and it really makes a good vehicle. I had considered that it may be time to "upgrade"... I looked at what I have and what I want. Decided to wait it out. This serves me too well and I don't see anything I like better yet.

Like they are saying. 4Lo is your friend. Use it. Easier on the rig too.

 

[Mccool]

Thanks for the help everyone. Obviously I should've just put it in 4lo, but I made it up before coming to that. Next time I'll try it.

Personally I love this platform. A few tweaks and it really makes a good vehicle. I had considered that it may be time to "upgrade"... I looked at what I have and what I want. Decided to wait it out. This serves me too well and I don't see anything I like better yet.

I agree, it's been a good vehicle for us. I've looked into a replacement but not a lot of options for a family of 6. It's also a third vehicle for us that is only used for trips so it's hard to swallow $30k + on a 200 series land cruiser, which is about the only viable alternative I've found so far.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Thanks for the help everyone. Obviously I should've just put it in 4lo, but I made it up before coming to that. Next time I'll try it.



I agree, it's been a good vehicle for us. I've looked into a replacement but not a lot of options for a family of 6. It's also a third vehicle for us that is only used for trips so it's hard to swallow $30k + on a 200 series land cruiser, which is about the only viable alternative I've found so far.

The Montero seats 7 and is more capable than the Tahoe, just doesn't tow as well comparatively.

 

[Mccool]

The Montero seats 7 and is more capable than the Tahoe, just doesn't tow as well comparatively.

I looked briefly when I bought the tahoe, they are tough to find. I believe they stopped making them here in 2005? On cars.com there is currently 1 within 500 miles of me.

I know the Tahoe is not an offroad superstar but aside from this one incident it has worked well for us.

 

[Buliwyf]

My truck won't fling mud much in 2wd. The truck knows that 4wd is available, and won't let me abuse it in 2wd. Maybe the Tahoe is similar? I'd suspect it's the ECM, traction control, and try it again in 4L.

I doubt your trans is damaged, you'd notice that more.

I had a similar issue with a Dodge Cummins (6.4L IIRC?), we stopped at a rest stop on a hill towing a 5'er. Truck would not accelerate when we pulled out. Had to use 4L to get past 15mph, then switch back to 2wd. Felt like a torque limiter.

 

[CrazyDrei]

4-lo is good for more than just sand and rocks, try it before you fry your trans. I have met a few folks who do not know how to switch into 4-lo, put it in neutral and push the 4L button to engage.

Completely agree with jeep-n-montero, 4-low in these trucks is for any off road obstacles where you do not want to fry your tranny. It's not an engine power or ECU management it's in the gearing, the hill was too steep for high gearing and needed to be adjusted.

Likewise 4-low is not just going up steep hills, use it for descending as well. Next time you are in that area and on that hill try 4-low to go down and up the hill, it will make a noticeable difference.

Good luck.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I had a similar experience last year going up a steep hill in my full loaded Suburban (I'm guessing total weight was probably over 6500lbs since all our camping gear was on board.) Just seemed to have no power to climb even with the engine screaming. My solution was to back off the throttle and switch to 4lo. Problem solved.

Don't be afraid to use 4 low. That's what it's for. Moving 3+ tons takes a lot of work and I'd rather use the transfer case low gears than risk damaging either the engine or the tranny.

If I was king of the universe I'd make every SUV available with a 5 speed manual with a granny low gear, but since I'm not I have to make do with what is available.

 

[rayra]

Problem's the driver not the vehicle. Tahoe's 1200# heavier than the Rubicon. Plus doubtless loaded with more crap, being a larger roomier vehicle.
And if a slope is so steep you can walk up it with your hands touching it, ****** ever made you think you'd do it in 2wd? And without a running start?

 

[Mccool]

Problem's the driver not the vehicle. Tahoe's 1200# heavier than the Rubicon. Plus doubtless loaded with more crap, being a larger roomier vehicle.
And if a slope is so steep you can walk up it with your hands touching it, ****** ever made you think you'd do it in 2wd? And without a running start?

I don't think the condescending attitude is necessary friend. I never said I expected to fly up it in 2wd, but I did expect the tires to break loose If it wasn't going to make it. Ok, forget the Rubicon. My 7000# tundra climbed steep hills in 2wd without feeling anemic.

 

[Buliwyf]

Yeah, the Tahoe guys are kinda jumpy. Married to their trucks, and don't like you calling them fat.

Our anemic Express 3500's do this from time to time. They just sit there going "Errrrrrrrrrr" with no wheel spin. Spinning the input shaft of the trans, with nothing coming out of the trans, and no full throttle either. Sometimes turning off the Stabilitrac works for a bit, it automatically comes back on at exactly the wheel speed needed to clear mud from Duratracs. Rinse repeat.

Hill, weight, no weight, it should have spun a tire. There's got to be a program somewhere limiting that.